NHL News and Rumors – September 5, 2009

Daniel Alfredsson would be quite happy if Dany Heatley is packing his bags in the next seven days.

The Ottawa Senators captain told reporters yesterday the best-case scenario would be to have the disgruntled winger dealt before camp opens next Saturday with medicals at Scotiabank Place. But if Heatley still is around when camp open, he is going to have to tell his teammates why he wants out of Ottawa.

Ideally, Alfredsson would like to see the distraction removed all together, but he can understand the difficult time Senators general manager Bryan Murray is having making a deal.

Sources say the San Jose Sharks and New York Rangers remain in the mix.

“Obviously, that would be the best scenario for everybody (if Heatley was dealt). But, if it would have been that easy, then something would already have been done,” Alfredsson said.

“We’re ready for whatever happens and we’ll make something good out of it.”

Speaking publicly for the first time since arriving in Canada after spending the summer in Sweden, Alfredsson said he hasn’t spoken with Heatley since the request was made and wants to make sure the two-time 50-goal scorer is fully committed if he is going to be playing in Ottawa. http://www.torontosun.com/sports/hockey/2009/09/05/10757656-sun.html

Kesler could be next to sign contract

Jason Botchford

Next up: Ryan Kesler.

With five core players now signed through the 2012-13 season, the next item on the Vancouver Canucks’ agenda is re-signing Kesler, who is coming off a career year — one that ended with him being a finalist for the Selke award.

“Our intention was to begin speaking with [Kesler’s agent Kurt Overhardt] once we got some other business taken care of,” Canucks GM Mike Gillis said. “And now we have that business taken care of.”

Since Kesler was drafted, he’s carried the tag of being a defensive forward. His speed, edge and tenacity combined with his lack of playmaking finesse were thought to be best suited for a checking-line role.

Turns out time can heal most wounds. Despite being lumped into the same division as villains Chris Pronger, Dany Heatley and Michael Nylander, Mike Comrie is not ruling out a second go-round with the Edmonton Oilers.

Following a pre-camp conditioning session at a south side Edmonton rink on Friday, Comrie did not want to talk specifically about the Oilers but did say that it was one of the clubs that his camp has been speaking too.

He also knows that because Edmonton is his hometown and because he left after an acrimonious contract dispute, there is heightened interest in his next move. He’s OK with all of that.

In other new the leafs just traded back for their 2 rd draft pick in next years draft this now paves the way for them to submit an offer sheet to kessel (which will be quite ironic since burkie chewed out lowe for the same thing a few seasons back). Looks like the leafs have done a helluva job retooling this offseason cant wait to watch a WAR with the leafs and habs. Heres to hoping we both get into the playoffs and face each other!!! Oh and leafs fans be prepared to be frustrated as all hell with komi lol specially when u play luchicken and the bruins

It is not the offer sheet that Burke was pissed about its the fact that edmonton inflated prices with the offer sheet. Lowe essentially made 40 point sophomores 4.5 million dollar players. Penner has been a disappointment ever since also. Hardly worth the money.

Now Kessel is showing that he is an improving force and solid top line player with 60 points in 60 games last season which is his third in the NHL. He's going to get 5 Million from the Bruins, or another team no matter what and would be worth it. Not like Penners case where he was only getting an inflated amount from Edmonton.

your not kidding, I really hope he does I cant wait for the year that we get all our canadian teams into the playoffs (depending on what the sens are able to get for dipshit and wether or not leclaire can get back into form) Hopefully this will be the year!!!

Dando im afraid u need to pull your head out of your ass heats threw himself under the bus while holding a grenade sans pin, i'll be pissed if he is on the olympic squad give it to somebody who deserves it like luchicken or savard

i mean who is this corey clusten? the sens were middle until heats arrived and they went to the finals with heats. hes why not alfredson. hes made alfy a gooder captain and a gooder player but here danny A threw heats under the bus like trash.

its cause hes right and alfrie cant take it.

since heats is willing to stand alone take a stand and stand by his word he really should get good credit for this. sens fans are stupid for creming him.

While I know your just trying to spark a response which is the only reason you act as you do. Alfie like any other player on any team does not want a player on his team that does not want to be there. Heatley signed a big contract and decided that he did not need to try as hard. He was out of shape, he was unmotivated and when your minutes get cut because you don't try you need to work harder is all.

I have no doubt that Heatley will come to camp in much better shape this year for which ever team final gets him. He is a great player when he wants to be, but he's still got some growing up to do. Probably half as much as you do